So they did—over and over and over. By the end of the BCS championship game, one thing stood out above all else: The Tide were tougher at the point of attack, and the offensive line controlled the tempo of the game.

Just like Alabama coach Nick Saban told them it would.

“Our entire preparation, he was telling us the game will be won up front,” Alabama tackle D.J. Fluker said. “We took it to heart and put it upon ourselves.”

The results were astounding. Alabama rushed for 265 yards and controlled the clock for 38:13 of the game’s 60 minutes. The Tide were balanced on offense (264 yards passing), and did whatever they wanted against the nation’s No. 1-ranked scoring defense.

“We were just grinding,” Lacy said. “After that first drive, we looked at each other and said, let’s do this. They’re not stopping us.”

Lacy ran for 140 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, and T.J. Yeldon had 108 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Alabama is now 50-0 since the start of the 2008 season when rushing for at least 150 yards.

“That says a lot about this team when they know what you’re going to do, they know where you’re going to run—and they can’t stop it,” Alabama center Barrett Jones said. “There’s a feeling that you can do anything.”